Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-03-16
\ GO>>lFS DEED.

Il didn't SpnSe Nuuh care so much,
'Nervic - she said, after moment of 81
lence. during which the young girl had
/ turned her face away.
Miss Perkins was one nf the born ag-
| gravatorS Of humanity in general and IN
particular Minerva WoOdford felt nor
/ ribly tempted 10 tell her 81. But Minerva
/ had wonderful self control for such smll-
ing azure eyes aud thick massed. ungov-
crnable auburn hair. II was no light I'M
positiou. this that she had borne through
out that glorious midsummer afternoon;
the company Of Miss Perkins =" tea,
the threads of gossip Miss Perkins I'M
raveled iuch for inch with the yarn of the
great gray balls from which she was al
WAYS knitting ugly stockings for heaven
knew whom, and kat up slowly with her
/ own peculiar skill Of narration into a sub
stance quite rs ugly and durabie as the
product of her hands.
II was one Of Miss Perkins self enjoined
duties 10 communicate disasreeable It'd
ings. She felt delightful sense of peace
and rontentmcnt now that she had con-
cluded her task of enlightening her young
and mothcrless hostess. NERVE was a
good girl and hadn't ought To be deceived
leasteSt," D." she said TO herself, more
'specially nv such worthless critter rs
that Jason Hawkes."
Il didn't s'pose you'd care so much, :"
she repeated, with an air Of sympathy.
Minerva was reaching through the win
dow to break oil some of the pink roses
that hung. there red-ripe and luscious.
She did not obey her impulse to turn and
speak sharply. She did not say out her
thought "'Nervier' How she hated to
ls called "'Nervier' No one with any
sense called her anything but Minnie. No
one but Miss Elvira Perkins. She wished
Miss Perkins would never come to See
her.
She thought all this, hut what she said
was milder. as she faced about carelessly
and stood arranging the roses.
Il am sure | hardly understand You,
Miss Perkins. Why should you suppose
| cared what was said about Jason
Hawkes. Surely he has "A right To marry
whom he pleases."
She might have been little paler than
usual, but her voice was quite steady.
Miss Perkins smaed discreetiy.
There amt much chance for the young
girls" she observed, when there's n de
signin' widow come TO town. Mis- Oar
rell's Just got Jason Hawkes. wound com
pletely round her finger. 'Tfsn't that he's
SO much account, though if he'd married
Won, you could've had a good influence.
HIS altogether too fond O. race horses
and such like evil doings. But for her 10
come and set herself up so omightily-why,
she amt once returned your call now, I'll
be hound"
Minerva's lovely face flushed painfully
at the reminder. She stepped from sitting
room TO kitchen and put some water in a
vase for the roses. Her heart throbbcd
with a great ache, but never should her
caller know il.
Its almost time for father to come"
She said quietly. I'm going TO set the
table now. Miss Perkins. Will you sit by
the door, III bring your chair"
''Oh, law! | can manage for myself,
said the elderly maiden, rising in some
haste to push the wooden rocker before
her over the sill and down the length of
the shining kitchen. 1t was wing of the
house facing the road and the door was
open.
A sudden hoof beat and a rumble of
wheels on the soft and yellow dusty road.
\ carriage spun by after a certain well
known pair of jet black horses.
Miss Perkins sent up shrill little cry
Of triumph.
Il never, There they go: he's driving
her out TO the fair grounds. What do
you think of that, 'Nervie:''
But Minerva made no reply.
Miss Perkins turned only 10 see the girl
slip quietly from the room.
Miss Perkins sat there alone for con
siderable space. The teakettle had begun
TO sing checrily. The snowy table cloth
and the shining glassware had an inviting
aspect. There was plenty Of Miss Per
kins' favorite sauce and sweet pickle;
there was just the kind of tea biscuit and
cocoanut cake that she dotted on. She
closed her ewes and claspcd her hands with
a sigh Of thankfulness for duty performed
and blessings about to be enjoyed
Then Minerva's father arrived
"How-dy. Miss Perkins" he oid
s'Where's Minniey''
Minerva reappeared, just little pale
and shadowy around tho eyes.
Here | am. father. she said, gently;
''tea is ready. had something to do Id
most forgotten"
Miss Perkins went away just after tea,
She did not stop TO help 'Nervie do the
Dishes as usual 1t was getting dark
and she had a long walk She suddenly fe
mcmbcred.
Minerva went about her work quite I'M
assisted. Her father was due at some
village meeting, and SO presently she WAS
left alone in the house.
\ terrible sense of depression fell upon
her. She wondered if Jason Hawkes.
were coming She was quite prepared.
She had everything ready to return To
him-his letters and the little pearl ring
he had given her. Everything was
wrapped securely; the package was too
heavy for her pockets-quite too heavy.
She wondered if he would come. And
Eo-v should she feel when she had given
all back TO him and said to him that they
he'd better part, She hardly knew. oh,
life was hard and bitter Jason had loved
hrr-she knew he had loved her--until
that woman had come to the village. the
designing widow" as Miss Perkins had
sail. Perhaps Miss Perkins was right.
Minerva finished her work and went TO
sit ON the porch. The air was heavy with
the scent of rose and honeysuckle. And
she felt her heart within her as cold as
stone.
She had sat there less than half an hour
when the gate opened and a form familiar
came swiftly up the walk. Her coli
heart seemed for a moment TO stand still.
Then II throbbed painfully.
Good evening" she answered very
quietly 10 his good evening" But she
didn't give him her haId.
The rest all came abCu: very swiftly.
pride, for thy stern sake how many
hearts are wrung!
He should never know that she had
learned his treachery. He should simply
believe she did not care for him. Here
are your letters and the ring" she said
swiftly, glad that the darkness veiled her
pallor.
Jason Hawkes. received them in bitter
silence.
As Hou choose. then, coquette." he
muttercG. and. turning, strobe away.
Minerva WOollford tossed wakefully
upon her bed that night. 1t was the first
great trouble of her life. First troubles
are so bitter.
Everything recurrcd to her-everything
that Miss Perkins had told her concerning
Mrs. Darrell. The widow was young and